In what has become an unprecedented time for companies and their employees, adjusting to a “new normal” of working away from the office has been challenging for many as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. As companies begin to look ahead and plan for a return to some normalcy, continuing to practice safe social distancing measures in the workplace will be key to providing a safe and efficient workplace environment. This includes continuing to keep a 6-foot space between individuals and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks. Differentiating between the types of masks and the protection they provide is important for companies to know before bringing employees back into the office.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world to change. The standard email greeting has been converted from “Hope you had a great weekend!” to “Hope you are staying safe and healthy in this uncertain time.” Employers and employees alike have been forced to live in the new normal of working from home as much as humanly possible. At some point, however, this will all have to end, and people will file back into offices and “normal” workplaces. But that doesn’t mean that offices will look the same. With COVID-19 in mind, it’s important to recognize how to best protect your employees when reopening your offices across the country.

A lot of businesses are looking to the federal government and the public sector to keep their businesses profitable during an economically uncertain time. Thankfully, the U.S. government is taking steps to try to help out Economically Disadvantaged Businesses through methods like those outlined in the OMB Memorandum. The federal government is also prepared for times of emergencies and has put statutes and clauses in place that specifically address small business set-asides and sole-source opportunities in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Stafford Act. If you and your company are economically disadvantaged due to the effects of the Coronavirus, let’s review how set asides, sole source opportunities, and the updates to the MAS program can help your business.

[This article was last updated on November 17, 2020] The General Services Administration (GSA) has stringent standards when it comes to the Country of Origin (COO) of products and services procured through Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). All GSA products and services must maintain Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.225-5. According to this clause, GSA contractors may only sell products and services which originate or are substantially transformed in TAA-compliant countries. However, in times of crisis, there are sometimes exceptions. In an effort to support the US government’s fight against COVID-19, GSA is temporarily allowing the procurement of non-TAA compliant products under FSS contracts. This exception is the result of GSA Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) Memo 2020-11.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, GSA and the agencies procuring through GSA Schedules are adapting to the needs of American citizens. An increase in purchasing through the Schedules program has brought along a slew of revisions to procedures and procurement efforts. Normally we discuss contracting from the vendor perspective, however, it is important to understand changes on the procurement side in order to gauge contracting activity and efforts to prepare for potential contracting opportunities and partnerships. From a buyer’s perspective, one of the most significant changes by way of the pandemic is an update to both the Micro-Purchase (MPT) and Simplified Acquisition (SAT) Thresholds.

[This article was last updated on November 18, 2020] In the United States and across the globe, citizens are continuing to practice social distancing, work remotely, and check-in on the constant COVID-19 news cycle. For many, this is a jarring change of pace and we’re all still adjusting as further developments are announced. It’s hard to tell when this will all end, but one thing that’s certain is the U.S. government’s need for innovative and valuable solutions in times of crisis. As part of the contracting community that provides these solutions for the government, GSA Schedule contractors play an essential role in responding to and eventually resolving crises – and COVID-19 is no different.